There is a manhunt for the spouse of a New York City woman who was brutally killed while travelling to Jamaica to celebrate her 37th birthday.
According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Melissa Kerry Samnath was declared deceased at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James on April 29, just hours after arriving on the island to celebrate her birthday.
Investigators believe the woman married Dane Watson in December, and when he dropped her off at the hospital, she was in critical condition.
Samnath’s niece informed The Jamaica Gleaner that he allegedly dropped her off in a wheelchair outside the hospital before vanishing.
“His mother called to tell us she got a phone call from him saying he killed her, and dropped her off in a wheelchair at the hospital,” the niece recalled. The suspect’s mother was then left to convey the heartbreaking news of Samnath’s passing to her family back in the United States.
“She continued, “I’m not sure how Watson’s mother obtained the family’s phone numbers. He didn’t even have the audacity to take her into the hospital.”
While the family was still in shock at Samnath’s passing, they started to understand the mysterious WhatsApp message she had sent them just before 11 p.m. that day: “I need you to call the cops.” Check out where I am. According to the Gleaner, she begged, “It is a pink house,” just one hour before turning 37.
Only hours after arriving on the island to celebrate her 37th birthday, Melissa Kerry Samnath of New York City was declared dead at a Jamaican hospital on April 29.
Her spouse, Dane Watson (above), is currently being sought after by Jamaican authorities.
It appears that the pink house is Watson’s residence in Norwood, St. James, where locals have reported seeing a large number of police personnel storm the area in an attempt to find him.
Detectives reportedly discovered pools of blood and some of Samnath’s possessions, but Watson was not home.
One neighbour told the Gleaner, “There was a whole heap of blood in his house in Norwood. [He] beat her badly, man.” Hit her in the head.
Authorities investigated Samnath’s death as a homicide after an autopsy on May 6 revealed that she had suffered several blunt-force trauma injuries to her skull. However, locals reported not hearing any crying or showing indications of suffering on the night of the murder.
Prior to this, Samnath was captured on camera trailing the suspect from her Airbnb while Watson carried her suitcase.
It’s unclear if she left the property voluntarily.
As Samnath’s family struggles to deal with her unexpected death, authorities are now pleading for Watson to bring himself in.
“She didn’t deserve that,” her niece remarked, calling Samnath “one of the most loving people ever.”
She clarified, “My aunt was very helpful and family orientated.” “She was the one caring for my other aunt and grandmother after my grandfather, her father, passed away.”
Accountant Samnath was defined as a “strong, loving, and unforgettable woman whose warmth touched everyone around her.”
The youngest of four siblings, Samnath worked as an accountant.
She was described as a “strong, loving, and unforgettable woman whose warmth touched everyone around her” in an online campaign to assist the family in covering the cost of her funeral and monument.”Her loss has left a deep pain in our family that words cannot fully express,” the niece who started the fundraising continued. “She loved travelling, exploring new places and spending time with the people she cared for most.”
“We are immensely appreciative of the love, support, and compassion that have already been shown during this tragic time.” As we honour Melissa’s life and treasure the memories she left us, please keep Melissa and our family in your prayers and thoughts.
The organiser stated in a May 6 update that any money left over from the campaign, which had raised over $10,800 as of Monday night, would be sent to groups that assist victims of domestic abuse.
Meanwhile, Samnath’s niece issued a warning, saying, “There is a murderer on the run and he is clearly in an area with a lot of tourists.” He poses a threat.
“Women should exercise caution because you never know what he might do.”
The loss of her aunt “has been hard for us. We can’t understand why he did this to her,” she continued. She wasn’t a bad person. The niece told the Gleaner, “She was our family’s baby.”
“We must now return her body to be buried.”
